NASBA Announces CPA Exam Testing Window Change

NASBA has adopted Uniform Accountancy Act Model Rule 5-7(a)(2), referred to as the Continuous Testing Rule which will allow CPA Exam candidates the opportunity to retake a failed section within the same testing window. 

What this means for you: 

• Per the rule: "When system changes have eliminated the need for test window limitations “a Candidate can retake a Test Section once their grade for any previous attempt of the same Test Section has been released“." 
• Plans now call for continuous testing to begin by June 30, 2020 (note: it does say "by" so it could be "before") 
• Blackout periods between testing windows remain intact, the testing windows are as follows:
  Q1: Jan 1 to Mar 10
  Q2: Apr 1 to Jun 10
  Q3: Jul 1 to Sep 10
  Q4: Oct 1 to Dec 10 
• Under the old rule you would need to wait until the next testing window to retake, under the new rule you can apply to retake as soon as you find out your grade and receive your NTS.  With that said, some candidates have been waiting to test toward the end of a testing window to provide them with extra study time, however, under the new rule, you may want to consider testing earlier in a testing window in case you need to retake. Make plans but don't plan on it, because you're going to study hard and pass, right?  Not sure if its possible for a candidate to take a section and retake twice in a window but we really don't need to know because it's not going to happen, right? ;-) 
• A blog post from Gleim mentions some states may begin using this new rule before June 30, 2020 and recommends candidates check with their state board for guidance.   

News via NASBA: 

The April 26 NASBA Board of Directors’ meeting cleared the path for continuous testing on the Uniform CPA Examination as the Board approved Uniform Accountancy Act Model Rule 5-7(a)(2). According to the revised Rule, when system changes have eliminated the need for test window limitations “a Candidate can retake a Test Section once their grade for any previous attempt of the same Test Section has been released.” A recent informal poll of the State Boards’ executive directors found that many states have already started to model their rules after the new Model Rule. NASBA President Ken L. Bishop told the NASBA Board that plans now call for continuous testing to begin by June 30, 2020. 

Related:
= CPA Exam Changes Resource Page (Gleim) 
= 2018 (current) CPA Exam Changes Guide (Gleim - pdf)